Niigata Style Living

We have been living here for nearly a month now. People have been changing a little bit but we’ve been feeling tight. We have been staying at the office of our guide Takumi Nagai. Taku calls this Grand Hotel, his guide master as Rabbit Hole. Sums it up pretty well. photo: Sami Valikangas

Two rooms are heated by heaters that pop at nights and that you have to turn on again every once in a while. If you don’t react as you hear Elvis singing, sometimes the room fills with carbon monoxide. photo: Sami Valikangas

As you wake up, it’s damn cold and you find out your gear has just dried. The alarm rings between five and six, usually closer to five. Quick coffee and oat meal, and then on the road via 7Eleven. You have to be fast when you wake up – the snow is at it’s best just a few hours. If you’re slow, you miss the powder. photo: Sami Valikangas

When it’s been crowded inside, you get more room outside. The brave ones can sleep at Taku’s camper, that he goes around Niigata whenever his traveling with Car Danchi. If don’t know Car Danchi, the greatest group of Japan, make yourself a favor and check them out right away. There’s also one heater in Taku’s car but you have to turn it off before falling asleep. If you sleep there, you have to own a good sleeping bag. photo: Sami Valikangas

As we get back to Rabbit Hole/Grand Hotel we get our stuff drying and hang together in those few square meters. You really get to know your friends well that way. As you do all your stuff side by side for weeks you learn some surprising stuff from them.This has been by far the best place where I could have spent this month. Thank you Taku, it’s been a true pleasure! photo: Sami Valikangas